Wired or Wireless Mp3 and internet radio

[kerplunkuk]

I am looking for a device that is available to stream via wifi or cable to my hifi. I would like to be able to send my MP3's and listen to various internet radio stations.
I have seen the squeezebox etc, but would like to play less if possible.

I have seen these for less than £140.

Philips SLA5520 Wireless Music Streamer
Terratec NOXON 2 Audio Streamer
Magicbox IMP Adapt WiFi Internet Radio & Media Player
Magicbox IMP Adapt WiFi Internet Radio & Media Player

Any opinions on these or other units?

Thanks

[andrew1810]

Which will be most used? Internet radio, or MP3?

The MagicBox (also look at the Acoustic Energy Wifi Radio) both have built in speakers, so if plugging into a hifi, it would seem a bit of a waste, but they do offer BBC Radio I think.

The Philips needs your PC on to access the radio.

The Noxon is the best of them for MP3 playback, and works with internet radio without a PC, but doesn't do BBC Radio (realplayer stuff)

I have reviews of the Noxon, Streamium (SL50i is practically the same) and Acoustic Energy (same insides as the MagicBox) here: http://www.audiofi.co.uk/reviews

Hope this helps

Andrew

[kerplunkuk]

It would be a 50/50 split. SHame about the BBC being a pain as I want local BBC radio for football.
So it looks like the Philips is in the driving seat at the moment.

Would an old Squeezebox V1 do a decent job?

[andrew1810]

A squeezebox V1 would only do internet radio with the PC switched on, only the 2 and 3 have access to Squeezenetwork

[kerplunkuk]

Originally Posted by andrew1810

A squeezebox V1 would only do internet radio with the PC switched on, only the 2 and 3 have access to Squeezenetwork

Does that mean that the V1 will work any station, but the 2 and 3 only work stations in the network or those and all others?

[andrew1810]

Originally Posted by kerplunkuk

Does that mean that the V1 will work any station, but the 2 and 3 only work stations in the network or those and all others?

The V1 will play most stations as long as the computer is on (and you will need the alienBBC plugin for BBC stations)

V2 and 3 work as above, but also have a number in Squeezenetwork which can be played without needing a pc

[ddavewoods]

Originally Posted by andrew1810

Which will be most used? Internet radio, or MP3?


The Philips needs your PC on to access the radio.

Andrew

Internet radio on the Philips is PC INdependant, but not sure about BBC radio.

Dave

[andrew1810]

Originally Posted by ddavewoods

Internet radio on the Philips is PC INdependant, but not sure about BBC radio.

Dave

That is excellent, thanks

Will have to boot up my SL50 (if I can find it) and see if it works on that!

Andrew

[ddavewoods]

Originally Posted by andrew1810

That is excellent, thanks

Will have to boot up my SL50 (if I can find it) and see if it works on that!

Andrew

just looked over at streamiumcafe.com and it seems as though the philips units cannot decode RAM broadcasts (real audio) unfortunately the exact method used by the BBC

this from philips "Issue: Not all BBC stations play on my WMA-enabled streamium product.
Answer: At this moment, we do not have the proper URLs available. As a result, playback does not work for all BBC stations. We are working with the BBC to resolve this. "

so should work eventually


but my SL5520 quite happily lets me listen to bluebeat etc with the PC off..

also looks like philips have been replacing SL50i units with SL5520 free of charge, maybe worth taking a look..

http://www.streamiumcafe.com/ubbthre...true#Post14540



Dave

[andrew1810]

Wow, thanks for pointing that out, I haven't received that email yet.

Will drop them an email now and see if I can get a nice new one!

Andrew